“Thanks, but I’m not that girl anymore.” Even if she could get past her anxiety, she had no desire to live some clandestine double life. Growing up, she’d expended enough energy hiding her mother’s secrets and feeling ashamed. Never again would she be the subject of hushed neighborhood whispers.
No, after this weekend, her dalliance with sexual submission was done for good. She would move on and continue searching for the guy who would fit into the vision she had for her future. Nice suburban home, a few kids, maybe a dog—the kind of normal, respectable existence she’d only been able to glimpse from afar growing up.
“Who are you, then?” he asked, his voice quiet.
The question hung in the air, taunting her. How could she reconcile the woman she thought herself to be with the one who’d melted under the commands and hands of the man sitting behind her? One who’d let two men tie her up and enjoyed it? She shook her head, a lump lodging in her throat.
“Shh, never mind,” he said, apparently sensing her darkening mood. “No stress allowed in the bathtub.”
The sponge moved higher, over her navel, the ripples of her ribs, tickling the underside of her breasts. His movements were gentle, but not tentative—as if he sensed the only way to pull her from her spiraling thoughts was to draw her back into her senses. It was his gift and one of the reasons he’d been so addictive back when they’d dated. He’d always been able to quiet the storm for her, bring her into a place where all she had to do was listen to his commands and feel his touch. A welcome respite from the constant beehive of worries and responsibilities in her mind.
The mild abrasiveness of the sponge crested the curve of her breast and moved over the distended nipples. Darts of pleasure trekked from the point of contact outward, chasing the tension that had tiptoed into her tendons back into the shadows. She let out a little murmur of appreciation and stretched her leg onto the edge of the tub.
A rumble of Jacuzzi jets cut through the quiet room, startling her, and fat bubbles broke through the still water. “Uh-oh, I must’ve hit a button.”
He kept his attention on her breasts, dropping the sponge and soaping the swells with his agile hands. “It’s okay. Might as well enjoy all the tub has to offer.”
She tilted her head back and arched into his touch. He gave her needy buds a firm pinch and the sensation shot straight to another swelling bud between her thighs.
“Just lay back and relax, sugar.” His hands moved down until they slid to the outside of her thighs. She offered no resistance as he tucked his palms under her knees and spread her legs wide, positioning her in the direct line of one of the jets.
“Oh!” She jerked back as the warm current of water pulsed against her already sensitive clit, but he kept her in place, holding her as well as any restraints ever could.
“Let me make up for ruining your pleasure earlier. I promise I won’t let you drown.” He dragged his tongue along her shoulder, lapping up the droplets of water beading there. “Mmm, and maybe I won’t let you dry off after the bath. I might just lick you clean instead.”
She moaned at the image he’d painted and at the relentless throb of water against her. Already, the coils of need inside her were tightening to the breaking point. Her body arched, sending water sloshing out of the tub and onto the tiled floor. She dug her nails into his thighs, trying to keep herself from slipping fully under the water. “Reid. I can’t—”
“Shh, give in to it. I have you. Just let go, let it all go, and trust that I’m here.”
The jets were like legions of hot tongues flicking, caressing, and nibbling her most sensitive nerves all at the same time. Tremors coursed through her, sending bigger and bigger waves of pleasure splashing over her, building toward the tsunami she knew was lingering in the distance.
Reid eased her thighs wider, opening her completely, giving them both a view of her water-slicked nudity in the mirror. He nipped at the back of her neck but kept his eyes focused on the reflection. “You’re so beautiful when you let go. Let me watch you come for me.”
As if his command willed it, the jets shifted to just the right spot and her nerve endings exploded into bright bursts of sparkling pleasure. A hoarse cry ripped from her throat, echoing off the walls in the room, and her body thrashed against him. He held her in place until she was almost at the edge of sanity, then swiftly kicked off the Jacuzzi and released her legs to sink back against him.r: Roni Loren
Reid’s eyebrows rose in surprise when her mouth touched his again, but after a second’s pause, he slipped his fingers along the nape of her neck and drew her in closer. His tongue parted her lips, and his other hand drifted to the small of her back. Instead of the frantic need that had colored their earlier encounter, he took a languid pace with his kiss and explored her mouth with heated tenderness, savoring her.
He eased back against the pillows, lowering her until her breasts pressed into the solid planes of his chest. Her muscles melted against him, and she sank into the moment—relishing his flavor, the feel of his stubble against her face, the scent of fading cologne and man. If she could bottle minutes, she would capture these.
Too soon, Reid withdrew and stared up at her with conflicted eyes. He cradled the side of her face. “It’s been a long night, sugar. How about I go run you a hot bath?”
She pressed her forehead against his, recognizing a retreat when she saw it. A swift reminder that despite their heartfelt conversation, this situation was only a means to an end and sex. Intimate make-out sessions could lead nowhere good. She rolled off him and stretched, noticing for the first time how her muscles ached. “Sounds heavenly.”
He climbed off the bed and belted his robe, his smile warm, but his stance stiff. “Be back in a few minutes, sugar.”
True to his word, he returned to the bedroom a little while later and lifted her off the bed. She laughed. “You were a lot to handle, but I can still walk, ya know?”
“You wound me,” he said with mock hurt. “But I’m carrying you anyway. I’ve put you through a lot tonight, let me take care of you.”
He nudged open the bathroom door with his foot and carried her into the lavish bathroom. Instant warmth kissed her skin. He’d lit the candles around the edge of the enormous Jacuzzi tub and the scent of lavender wafted off the curls of steam rising from the water. “Wow, now that is what I call drawing a bath.”
He set her on her feet and pulled off the T-shirt she’d borrowed from him. He smiled down at her, his eyes dark in the flickering candlelight. “Glad you approve.”
She tugged at the knot in his robe. “You joining me?”
He palmed her bare hip and drew her closer. “You’re in charge right now, babe. You tell me.”
She yanked the tie harder and his robe fell open, revealing miles of muscle and rugged male beauty. Her hands moved to his chest, her fingertips exploring the lines of his collarbone, his sternum, the cut of his wide shoulders. She pushed off the robe the rest of the way. “I think I don’t want to be alone with my thoughts right now.”